Week 6 Recap

Week 6 Recap

    Whoa, there were some close calls this weekend for a few top 10 teams. My picks held up pretty well, minus Arizona State falling to Notre Dame. To top off the weekend, there weren't any real surprises (other than how close some games were). All the big teams that were supposed to win, got their win. Here is a look back at some of the action from week 6.

Best Game(s) of Week 6

 

    
     It's hard to tell which game was the most exciting to watch. There was Georgia at Tennessee that went to OT, Ohio State  coming back in the 4th qtr to beat Northwestern, and Stanford hanging on to beat Washington. All three of those games were intense from start to finish. But I think I have to give the Georgia at Tennessee game the tag of "Best Game of Week 6". It was a game that Georgia should have won by 20+, but it turned into a struggle in the second half. And if the last 5 minutes of the game weren't the most exciting 5 minutes of football in week 6, then I don't know what is...... The Vols converted 2 fourth downs on their final drive and took the lead. Tennessee looked like they had this game won..... But Aaron Murray proved once again, that he is an elite passer. He kept his cool and took Georgia down the field and tied the game to put it into OT. Wow, then there's OT.... And UT had things going again..... until the tough fumble that rolled out of the end-zone for a touchback. It was a very close call, but it was the right call. Georgia took advantage and won the game...... and it came at a high price. RB Keith Marshall and WR Justin Scott-Wesley suffered season-ending ACL injuries. We will find out just how resilient Georgia is over the coming weeks. They still have a big game with Florida left, but the rest is manageable. 

   Ohio State didn't disappoint. They took every punch Northwestern had and kept fighting. Eventually Ohio State wore them down, and that was the difference in the game. Depth and endurance kept Ohio State from losing a close game.  Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes have now extended their winning streak to 19, and it shouldn't come to an end any time soon. In fact, I never realized how soft a schedule Ohio State had until I started checking who they have left. Really Michigan is the biggest threat Ohio State has left, minus the B1G Ten Championship game. I would even go as far as saying that an undefeated ACC team would get into the BCS Title game before an undefeated Ohio State. Ouch B1G Ten.... just OUCH!

     Stanford has the toughest road ahead of these three. Stanford took care of Washington, and they still have some big games ahead. UCLA, Oregon, California, and Notre Dame. None of those teams are going to lay down for Stanford. And yes, USC is another team they have to play, but I figure USC has checked out for the season.

    All three of those games were fun to watch. Georgia's game didn't go as planned, but that's what made it fun.

Surprise of the Week

   Speaking of games not going as planned (or at least in the media's eyes)..... Florida State destroyed 25th ranked Maryland. All week long, ESPN talked this game up. There were sports writers that thought this game would be a shoot-out. After the FSU vs Boston College game last week, who wouldn't? The Noles struggled on defense a week prior, and many people took that as FSU's defense would be exposed even more by a team averaging 38 points a game. Well, this game couldn't have been any farther from the expectation of what the score would be at the end. Florida State scores 63 points and Maryland didn't find the end-zone the entire game. 
  
    While ESPN insists on throwing up 'Famous Jameis' highlights, the real highlight has to be the defense. Complete and total domination from FSU's defense. Winston was great but the defense was even better. Now, which is which with Florida State? Is the defense we saw in the first 4 games a better measurement of what FSU's defense really is? Or was FSU pacing themselves the first 4 games and trying to hold back? What are the Noles hiding? Many of us were hoping that the Maryland game would answer some of those questions, but now that has left us wondering even more. And the scary part is, I don't think we have seen the 'fireworks' that Jimbo Fisher has talked about over the last few weeks. Both Fisher, and the players have said numerous times, "you haven't seen everything, yet" or "there's so much we haven't shown yet".  Sure, it's talk, but there has to be some truth to it. And Florida State now has two weeks to prepare for their toughest game of the season. Clemson looks like a machine right now. FSU looks pretty solid too. Both teams will be put to the test on October 19th.

    Reader Question Segment is coming tomorrow. I have about 5 questions on tap for tomorrow, but if some of you want to add to it, then send them to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day And don't forget to join the discussion at www.fans25.com